13th Annual

"Willkommen! Welcome! We invite you to the sights, sounds and tastes of Christmas. Visit Canada's original Christkindl Market and relive a centuries-old tradition. Our festival of German Christmas is a 4-day festival, with over 70 vendors and free entertainment.
Christkindl Market committee together with City of Kitchener staff work throughout the year to provide
an experience for visitors young and old. CLICK PLAY > to watch our 30 sec. TV commercial
I'm sure you'll make memories and you'll want to return to time and time again. Enjoy the ambience! Jeder ist herzlich Wllkommen. Good luck winning the Trip for 2 to Germany and many other wonderful prizes." - Astrid Braun, President
HOURS:
Thurs. Dec. 3rd from 10 am to 9 pm
Fri. Dec. 4th from 10 am to 9 pm
Sat. Dec. 5th from 9 am to 9 pm
Sun. Dec. 6th from 10 am to 5 pm
"This trip to Germany was first class from the moment we left Toronto. The arrangements at the Fairmont Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten in Hamburg were world class. The staff made our visit to this very special hotel a once in a life time event. The city is nestled amongst canals and featured many interesting sites. We visited all of the key sites and had ample time to enjoy several local restaurants! Read the whole story and see other winners... (click here) Trip was sponsored by German National Tourist Office, Lufthansa, Rail Europe
ALSO, CLICK PLAY > to watch Christkindl Market on ROGERS TV DAYTIME, Sonya Pratt talks with Susan Cook-Scheerer about the Kinderecke (craft centre) and the toys kids can build in the Home Depot Workshop.
Eine Gute Nacht, by Rebecca Tucker. Published: Saturday, November 29, 2008
"...The annual Christkindl festival, which takes place this coming weekend in Kitchener, roughly one hour away from Toronto, makes no qualms about being one of those festivals of traditional Christmas cheer. However, it has a few perks that set it apart from similar seasonal events -- namely, it promises not to drain your pocketbook. "People often feel the crunch this time of year," says Monica Reid, Christkindl's marketing chair. "One of the biggest advantages we have as a festival, and one that really draws people in, is the fact that [all of the events and attractions] are free..." Read the complete article... (click here)
The sparkle of Christmas lights. The twirl of skaters. The sound of a choir singing Silent Night. Your breath clouds in front of you as you walk past stalls selling schinken, potato pancakes and fresh pastries, their delicious aromas inviting you to linger.
The colourful swirl of dancers and the melodious tolling of bells. There's nothing like music and dance to set the mood for some holiday magic.
I
n front of Kitchener City Hall, the crowd munches on Bratwurst and Lebkuchen (spice cake), while sipping steaming mugs of Gluwein (mulled wine). On stage, bellringers, dancers and musicians fill the square with the festive sounds of Christmas. Inside City Hall, vendors offer handcrafted and traditional gifts: ornaments, toys, jewelry, florals, ceramics, stained glass and carvings. Model trains journey through miniature landscapes at the model railway displays, while children enjoy the fun of creating their own Christmas crafts at the Kinderecke.
Imagine how much fun your family and friends will have when you start off your holiday season with a visit to Kitchener's Christkindl Market. As founder Tony Bergmeier says, "the joy is yours."
For up-to-date news, events and information on how to WIN, subscribe to our e-Newsletter. Coming from out of town? Stay a while. There's lots to do in the area. Let us help you plan your trip with maps, brochures and helpful links.
Planning to visit our Market this year? Please tell us your story ... (click here)
Photos courtesy of Jan Pisarczyk at pirak.com.